Ja Morant, the star guard for the Memphis Grizzlies, was fined $75,000 by the NBA on Friday for repeatedly making an inappropriate finger-gun gesture during Thursday’s game against the Miami Heat. This came just one day after Morant was warned by the league for making a similar gesture in a game against the Golden State Warriors on Tuesday. The NBA had previously advised Morant that such actions could be viewed negatively, and his decision to ignore the warning led to the fine.
Morant’s gesture, which has been used by him and other players as a celebration after making 3-pointers, has raised concerns due to his past controversies involving firearms. In 2023, Morant was suspended twice for incidents involving actual guns, including a widely publicized video from a nightclub and another Instagram Live incident. These suspensions cost him 33 games and a significant portion of his salary.
Despite the league’s warning, Morant repeated the gesture twice during Thursday’s game, which Memphis won 110-108 against the Heat. He also hit a game-winning shot at the buzzer, finishing with 30 points. The NBA’s decision to fine Morant highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding his behavior, as the league strives to discourage any actions that could be interpreted as promoting violence.
Following the game, Morant dismissed the criticism, expressing that he is used to being a “villain” and no longer cares about negative comments. His defiance of the league’s warning, coupled with his history of firearm-related incidents, has kept him in the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. Moving forward, the Grizzlies and the NBA will likely continue to monitor Morant’s conduct as he navigates the remainder of the season.
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